Monday, November 1

Debra Shriver: Stealing Magnolias

I love that I just never know who is reading my blog or from where the next email might arrive. Certainly it keeps me on my toes. Most recently I received a lovely email from Sue-Jean Chun telling me of her dear friend Debra Shriver’s new book Stealing Magnolias: Tales from a New Orleans Courtyard.

As one who loves the city of New Orleans, I could not wait to get my hands on a copy after seeing the images. As luck would have it, I was traveling to NYC where Debra is based and had a chance to see it in person.

In addition to authoring Stealing Magnolias, Debra is Vice President and Chief Communications Officer for Hearst. I had the privilege of spending a wonderful morning with Deb in her stunning office at the Hearst Tower earlier in October.

Stealing Magnolias is a beautifully written, and illustrated, love letter to New Orleans, her newly adopted city. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina Deb bought a town house in the French Quarter and began renovating and restoring the house to its original state. During the process she became friends with many of the artisans, decorators and designers in the city.

Through Deb’s eyes readers are given a rare tour of this enigmatic city. The book is a cultural guidebook and historical reference of America's most European city, featuring the work of more than 20 photographers and artists. Chapters highlight food and entertaining, decorating, gardens, landscapes, local traditions, interiors, and architecture. Another one for the bookshelf!







16 comments:

annie @ PlumSiena said...

Thanks for the info on Stealing Magnolias. I'm ordering today.

I also am a huge New Orleans fan. Having friends that live there has allowed me to glimpse the old, the new and the currently being worked on.

The images are lovely. Are they all from Debra's book? Yummy!

-annie

ALL THE BEST said...

Annie - yes...all from Deb's book. So beautiful!

Splendid Sass said...

No doubt this is a wonderful, warm book. Thank you for sharing this.
Teresa

designchic said...

What beautiful images...thanks for the sneak peek!!

Brillante Interiors said...

Gorgeous images and thanks Ronda for telling me about the book on a city never visited but on my list. If you have time read my latest post on a real estate luxury magazine and an article on Milan I just wrote for them. Hope you enjoy it! Ciao.

Tiffany from HOLIDAY said...

Oh, I'm excited about this, having grown up there. Thank you!

Rebecca Vizard said...

I'm so excited to hear about this book. I think her place in NOLA was featured in House Beautiful and I was thrilled to see several good photographs containing my antique textile pillows! Can't wait to see if there are more shots of that wonderful project! Thanks for the tip. I'm ordering it right now!

Simone LeBlanc said...

What a great find! So glad I came across Steal Magnolias on your blog! Thank you for sharing this.

May Brady said...

I'm reading your blog! Hahaha, at least one fan counted in Melbourne, Australia :)

Julie Neill Designs said...

Ronda
I'm so looking forward to receiving my copy of this book. It looks as fabulous and inspiring as New Orleans itself. Here's hoping you'll find your way back here soon for a visit.
Julie

quintessence said...

What a great story - like Under the Tuscan Sun right here at home. Will definitely be checking this book out - beautiful shots!

La Petite Gallery said...

thanks for stopping oner. Is that a capi de monti set on the bottom? She is a beautiful woman with wonderful taste.

yvonne

peggy braswell said...

Can't wait to get my hands on this book. Thanks for writing about it and showing delicious pictures. NOLA is one of my favorite places-to a gulf coast resident who now calls CA home, I can't get enough of beautiful new orleans..a real southern city! xx peggybraswelldesign.com

Lila said...

What beautiful photos. I have heard of this book before but, can't remember where. It must be a necessity!
xoxo
Lila Ferraro

Jamie Herzlinger said...

A fabulous book indeed. These images are very inspirational. Thanks for sharing.

Jamie Herzlinger

andrew1860 said...

I did not know about this book. I will have to get it. I love the photo of the Old Paris Pots du Creme set, I have dessert plates in this pattern.